Technologies

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Design and Technology is a practical based subject that prepares you to live in the designed and made world.

Technologies Overview:

It involves solving real life problems that are based on the needs and wants of the world. Within Design and Technology, learners cover a rigorous curriculum including Computer Science, Art and Design, Materials Technology, Cooking and Nutrition, Craft and Textiles.

Learners are presented with lots of opportunities to respond to real life design problems and are taught how to carry out research, produce detailed analysis, design appropriate specifications for products, present design ideas in a variety of media, develop possible design ideas into products that have the capacity to be manufactured and, finally, learners are taught how to test their completed products.

Studying Design and Technology is for learners who are innovative, creative and resourceful. Learners in Design and Technology will develop technical and practical expertise required for the technological world. Design and Technology learners will work through an iterative process in order to make high quality products suitable for the 21st century.

Subjects offered in Design and Technology:

Materials Technology:

Materials Technology is the study of materials in a practical way to make high quality products. Learners will use traditional skills and modern technologies. They will study materials and their working properties, processes and manufacturing, joining components, adhesives and finishes, develop product specifications, understand commercial practice and research careers opportunities in career related industries.

At Key Stage 4 learners will complete three mandatory units including a skills demonstration, an extended making project and an externally assessed study of the fundamentals of materials technology. Working hands on making high quality products using woods, metals and polymers. You will be using modern technologies and but also applying traditional skills.

Skills Demonstration

Learners will carry out 12 core skill practical projects which will be documented in a portfolio.

Extended Making Project

Learners will plan, develop, make and evaluate via an extended making project

Fundamentals of Materials Technology

Will study materials and their working properties.

Food and Catering:

Learners will make a range of food products and develop skills related to commercial food preparation including food hygiene, food presentation and consider food production in quantity.

At Key Stage 4 learners will study three mandatory units including a skills demonstration, an extended making project and an externally assessed study of the fundamentals of food and catering.

Computer Science:

Computing will prepare learners for progression to GCSE Computer Science, should it be chosen as an option in year 9. The course introduces an abstract model of a computer system, and this is used to help learners understand the interaction of hardware and software, that underlies the functionality of all modern-day computer systems. The cross-domain benefits of ‘Computational Thinking’ is another key concept that is explored.

At Key Stage 4, GCSE Computer Science looks at the architecture of modern-day computer systems, and how humans develop robust, efficient, computer programs for them. The ‘Von Neumann Architecture’, ‘Networking’, ‘Computational Thinking’ and ‘Programming’, are some of the main topics covered.

Art and Design:

The Art curriculum is modelled on the areas of study for GCSE Art. It enables learners to develop a wide range of artistic skills, techniques and processes throughout each practical unit, which will equip students for study at Key Stage 4.

At Key Stage 4 learners develop more than one collection of work or project.

They learn how to demonstrate an ability to sustain work from initial starting points or project briefs to final pieces. They follow this with a project that contains evidence for each of the assessment objectives.Each learner must produce a portfolio of learning.

Textiles:

Textiles studies involves designing and making a seasonal decoration for Gordon Riggs garden centre. Learners use their imagination to design ideas, explore fabrics and develop their hand stitching skills. Learners will design products to meet the needs of clients and consumers and understand the design principles of form, function and fitness for purpose.

Craft:

At Key Stage 4 learners start with a thorough investigation into craft materials, tools and supplies, before moving onto the 'Enterprise' section of the course. Learners develop a product to fill a gap in the market, they make their own chosen craft kits, and develop this product for a target audience. The second component of the qualification requires learners to independently develop and make an idea over a period of time that matches the exam board criteria.

Mrs H Hinchliffe

Head of Technologies

Studying Technologies

Is for Learners who are...

Encouraged to look at the world around them and to analyse products that they use in their everyday lives and appreciate the design principles. Learning in Design and Technology is relevant and exciting to learners and offers endless opportunities. Design and Technology helps to shape our world and affects our daily lives

That will Learn...

A wide range of activities for learners that will extend their capability in designing and working with a variety of materials. Learners are taught how to work safely with materials such as food, woods, plastics and metals, using a variety of tools and machines. The faculty has high quality Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM) facilities and these play a significant part in the learner's’ design education at MMHS.